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(Editor's note: USA TODAY Sports is publishing thumbnail sketches of the top 22 Hall of Fame candidates on this year's ballot. It is a most intriguing lot, ranging from seeming first-ballot names marred by the cloud of performance-enhancing drugs to unsullied players nearing the end of their 15-year eligibility. The Baseball Writers Association of America will announce who, if anyone, is voted in Jan. 9.)

Why he should be inducted: The portly left-handed pitcher played for nine different teams over 21 seasons and reached the postseason 11 times. At 6-foot-3, 250 pounds, he was a durable starting pitcher with excellent control. Although he struck out only 5.8 batters per nine innings, he allowed just 1.9 walks per nine over his career. Wells was at his best at Yankee Stadium. He went 45-20 with a 3.70 ERA in home games in the Bronx, including a perfect game with the Yankees on May 17, 1998. He retired with 239 wins, 57th all-time, and posted a .604 winning percentage.

Wells has comparable regular season statistics to Curt Schilling, who is also on the ballot for the first time and undoubtedly will pick up more votes. Wells wasn't the power pitcher Schilling was and didn't have the same postseason success, although Wells was hardly a postseason slouch, going 10-5 with a 3.17 ERA and winning two World Series title. A look at their numbers: